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How to Generate and Annotate 2D Drawings
How to Generate and Annotate 2D Drawings

Learn how to create and edit drawings in seconds from a 3D model

Mallory Dakan avatar
Written by Mallory Dakan
Updated over a week ago

With Fictiv's 2D Drawing Generation & Annotation features, it’s easy to create and edit drawings in seconds on the Fictiv platform—saving you precious hours in your design cycles.

In this article, we’ll cover how to create drawings, how to edit and annotate new or existing drawings, and what is included in a Fictiv-generated 2D drawing.

How Do I Generate a New 2D Drawing?

To generate a 2D drawing, all you need is a 3D model. Simply follow these steps:

  1. Upload your 3D model to the Fictiv platform

  2. Click “Configure” to select your manufacturing requirements

  3. On the right-side bar, click “+ Attach Drawing” under the Technical Drawing header

  4. Select “Generate a 2D Drawing” [Fig. 1]

fictiv 2d drawing generation and annotation

Fig. 1

Once the drawing has been generated, you will be able to annotate it, if needed. When your drawing is complete and ready for submission, click “Save and Close” on the upper right-hand corner. A dialog box will appear that will give you the option to download the PDF [Fig. 2].

fictiv 2d drawing generation and annotation

Fig. 2

If necessary, you may review your drawing before you submit your quote in one of two ways:

  1. Select “Edit Configuration” from the quote [Fig. 3]

  2. Hover over the PDF link on the right-side bar and select “View drawing” [Fig. 4]

fictiv 2d drawing generation and annotation

Fig. 3

fictiv 2d drawing generation and annotation

Fig. 4

Alternatively, you may simply select the drawing link below the file name on the quote to bring you directly to the drawing [Fig. 5].

fictiv 2d drawing generation and annotation

Fig. 5

Tip: If you have tapped holes, use the thread detection feature to configure the threads prior to generating the drawing.

How Do I Annotate a Drawing?

Users also have the ability to annotate any PDF drawing that is linked to a model regardless of whether it is an existing drawing or one that was generated by Fictiv. You will be given the option to annotate a Fictiv drawing once it has been created [Fig. 6].

fictiv 2d drawing generation and annotation

Fig. 6

To annotate a pre-existing drawing, first attach the PDF to the CAD file by clicking “Upload drawing” in the part configuration window [Fig. 7]. Once the PDF has been uploaded, hover over the drawing link [Fig. 8] and select “Annotate drawing” from the dropdown [Fig. 9]. This will bring up the annotation window from which you’ll be able to make your changes.

fictiv 2d drawing generation and annotation

Fig. 7

fictiv 2d drawing generation and annotation

Fig. 8

fictiv 2d drawing generation and annotation

Fig. 9

Once you are in the editing window, you will be able to add text annotations to add or change manufacturing requirements, or use the strikeout tool to omit existing requirements. You will also have the ability to export and share your drawing

fictiv 2d drawing generation and annotation

What Do Fictiv Drawings Include?

All drawings generated on Fictiv’s platform will include the following:

  1. Three profile views (top, front, right)

  2. Isometric view

  3. Additional profile views to show features not found in the top, front, or right views (if applicable)

  4. ISO 2768 Medium tolerance block

  5. Any threads specified at the time of the drawing generation

  6. Bounding box dimensions

Our goal at Fictiv is to enable product innovators to create and remove as many obstacles in the manufacturing process as we possibly can. If you have any questions or suggestions to help us make your job easier, please let us know by emailing help@fictiv.com.

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